Payal Kapadia, a renowned Indian director, has been appointed as the President of the Jury for the 65th edition of Cannes Critics' Week, scheduled from May 13 to 21, 2026. This significant role follows the success of her film, 'All We Imagine as Light,' which made history in 2024 by winning the Grand Prix, one of the highest honors for an Indian film at Cannes. Critics' Week aims to discover emerging voices in world cinema and is known for showcasing bold storytelling. The event will present 11 feature films, with 7 in the main competition, selected from over 1,050 submissions, along with 13 short films from nearly 2,400 entries. Kapadia will lead a diverse jury that includes international figures such as Quebecois actor Théodore Pellerin and Ghanaian-British producer Ama Ampadu. She has expressed the importance of supporting independent cinema and nurturing first-time filmmakers, emphasizing that film criticism is vital for the arthouse film ecosystem.